Tha�sa Olivia - Let Go

Tha�sa Olivia - Let Go 

2011, Tha�sa Olivia

Tha�sa Olivia has made quite a name for herself in her native Netherlands and throughout Europe.  As a member of The Croonettes, Olivia spent three years on tour building name recognition.  A stint with Up With People also helped Olivia build rapport with audiences across Europe.  These days she is back in her native Netherlands singing with the Tha�sa Olivia quartet.  Olivia recently released ?Let Go?, a collection of ten songs culled from The Great American Songbook

Let Go opens with "I Wish You Love", with Olivia displaying a Vegas-style pastiche set against her warm, deep alto sound.    Olivia's backing band is top notch, bass and piano in particular standing out in the crowd.  The song itself is a great start, although the shift from Olivia's lyric vocal style to the frenetic instrumental breakdown is perhaps a bit too much.   Arthur Hamilton's "Cry Me A River" would seem to a be a near-perfect song for Olivia, who brings out the dark and desolate emotion of the song, brandishing it wish a sense of mystery and pain.  Olivia brings a hint of Ella into the mix, but maintains her own strident style even while paying tribute to the woman the song was written for. 

"Miss Celie's Blues" is a solid effort; Olivia is in fine voice, but something is missing in the chemistry of the song.  "Promise" is another matter altogether, however.  Olivia is in tremendous voice in this blue jazz number, showing a level of control and precision that's impressive, while maintaining an unexpected warmth.  "I'm Through With Love" find Olivia falling back a bit, giving up some of that vocal precision, particularly on the higher notes in the song.  Her performance is full of a muted but real personality.  In spite of the any vocal misgivings, Olivia gets that Vegas swagger on, selling the song completely. 

"It's All Right With Me" is an energetic number about the forbidden fruit of illicit relationships.  Olivia fills the number with a sensuality that's born of desire and a naughty sensibility that borders on caricature.  Olivia never shines brighter than she does on Cy Coleman's fine number "With Every Breath I Take" (City Of Angels).  Coleman's sense of desolation springs forth from this number in full force, with Olivia navigating the melody line like the song is her own.  Olivia's band recreates Coleman's musical vision in picture-perfect sound.  

"Romanian Market" seems a bit out of place here, although it's an absolutely intriguing number by its own right.  The dark, melodic construction of the piece borders on mesmerizing, but plays like a musical non-sequitur amidst the songs of Let Go.  Harold Arlen and Ted Koehler's "Story Weather" is revamped in a 1970's style that seems a bit at odds with the spirit of the song on first listen.  Olivia carries it off well, however, giving a slightly new perspective on the well-worn classic.  Olivia says goodnight with "How Do You Know", staying to the middle of the musical road and playing it safe in the heart of her vocal range.  Olivia's backing band stand out here, with pianist Christian Doepke and the rhythm section of Sven Schuster and Joost Kesselaar throwing quiet but clear sparks around her.

Tha�sa Olivia displays a distinctive talent for phrasing and interpretation on Let Go.  Coupled with a deep, warm alto sound that is exceedingly pleasant to listen to, Olivia leaves a strong impression on all whose ears are within range of her voice.  Olivia tends to play it safe much of the time throughout the album, but her rendition of Cy Coleman's "With Every Breath I Take" will probably rank as one of the finest renditions of that song outside of the Original Broadway Cast Recording.  Tha�sa Olivia is a performer, pure and simple; her ability to sell a song will ensure that audiences never walk away dissatisfied. 

Rating: 4 Stars (Out of 5)

Learn more about Tha�sa Olivia at www.thaisaolivia.com or www.myspace.com/thaisaolivia. No online outlets were found to be selling Let Go, but you can stream some of the songs on Olivia's MySpace page.  Her full web page is currently under construction.

Source: http://wildysworld.blogspot.com/2011/07/thaisa-olivia-let-go.html

The Fiery Furnaces Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin Voxtrot Tullycraft